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National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education

Attend with Purpose. Return with Impact.

The NAPAHE Conference ROI & Planning Toolkit

Conference Information
Supporting higher education's senior leaders requires far more than administrative expertise. Today's executive support professionals, chiefs of staff, board professionals, and executive office leaders must navigate strategic priorities, institutional complexity, evolving challenges, and constant change.

The NAPAHE Annual Conference is the premier national gathering dedicated exclusively to professionals who support leadership in higher education. Through educational sessions, peer discussions, networking opportunities, and practical resources, attendees gain the knowledge, connections, and confidence needed to strengthen their institutions and better support the leaders they serve.

Whether you are preparing a request for funding, planning your conference experience, documenting your learning, or reporting on the outcomes of your participation, NAPAHE's Conference ROI & Planning Toolkit is designed to help you maximize the value of your investment.

Download the Planning Toolkit

Why Attend NAPAHE's Annual Conference?

Build a National Network

Many of us work in highly specialized roles where there may be few colleagues on campus who truly understand our responsibilities.

NAPAHE brings together professionals from colleges and universities across the country who support presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, governing boards, and other senior leaders. The conference provides opportunities to exchange ideas, benchmark practices, discuss challenges, and build lasting professional relationships.

Learn Practical Strategies

Conference sessions focus on the real-world issues facing higher education and the professionals who support its leaders.

Participants gain insights related to:

  • Executive office operations
  • Governance and board support
  • Strategic planning
  • Leadership communications
  • Event and protocol management
  • Organizational effectiveness
  • Emerging higher education trends
  • Innovation and institutional transformation

Attendees leave with practical ideas they can immediately apply within their own offices and institutions.

Increase Your Institutional Impact

The greatest value of attending NAPAHE extends beyond the conference itself.

Participants return with:

  • New tools and resources
  • Proven practices from peer institutions
  • Expanded professional networks
  • Fresh approaches to institutional challenges
  • Actionable strategies that improve office effectiveness

These outcomes ultimately strengthen the leaders, offices, institutions, and students we serve.

Why Supervisors Should Support Attendance

Professional development is most valuable when it directly enhances organizational effectiveness.

The individuals who support senior leaders often serve as key connectors, planners, communicators, coordinators, problem-solvers, and strategic partners. Investing in their growth can result in:

  • Improved executive support
  • Greater operational efficiency
  • Enhanced coordination and communication
  • Stronger governance and administrative practices
  • Access to national benchmarking opportunities
  • Increased employee engagement and retention

Unlike broad higher education conferences, NAPAHE focuses specifically on the unique challenges and responsibilities associated with supporting executive leadership. Attendees return with specialized knowledge directly relevant to their roles and institutional priorities.

Learn More About Our Upcoming Program

The NAPAHE Conference Impact Cycle

NAPAHE encourages attendees to approach conference participation as a complete professional development journey.
Step 1

Prepare

Identify institutional priorities, professional growth goals, and expected outcomes before arriving.
Step 2

Participate

Engage intentionally in educational sessions, networking opportunities, and peer learning experiences.
Step 3

Apply

Translate learning into actionable improvements that strengthen your office and institution.
Step 4

Report

Demonstrate the value of your participation by sharing insights, recommendations, and outcomes.

Conference ROI & Planning Toolkit

The resources below have been designed to support every stage of this process.

Pre-Conference Justification Letter

Build your case for attendance.

This customizable template helps attendees explain:

  • Why NAPAHE aligns with institutional priorities
  • Expected learning outcomes
  • Benchmarking opportunities
  • Networking and professional development benefits
  • Anticipated return on investment

The template provides a structured and professional way to discuss attendance with supervisors and institutional leaders

Download the Pre-Conference Letter

Estimated Cost of Attendance Worksheet

Plan and budget with confidence.

This worksheet helps attendees and supervisors estimate the total investment required for conference participation, including:

  • Registration fees
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Airfare and transportation
  • Meals and incidental expenses
  • Other optional travel-related costs

The worksheet promotes transparency and informed decision-making during the approval process.

Download the Cost of Attendance Worksheet

Conference Planning Worksheet

Attend intentionally.

Successful conference experiences begin with clear goals.

This planning tool helps attendees identify:

  • Top institutional priorities
  • Current challenges and pain points
  • Desired networking connections
  • Professional competencies to strengthen

By establishing goals in advance, attendees can focus on the opportunities most relevant to their institution and professional growth.

Download the Planning Worksheet

Professional Development Passport

Document your learning journey.

The NAPAHE Professional Development Passport provides a simple and effective way to capture:

  • Sessions attended
  • Educational activities completed
  • Key takeaways
  • Action items for implementation

The Passport serves as an ongoing record of professional growth and helps members demonstrate the value of their NAPAHE engagement throughout the year.

Download the PD Passport

Post-Conference Impact Report

Show what you learned and how it matters.

After returning from the conference, attendees can use this template to summarize:

  • Key learning outcomes
  • Best practices identified
  • Networking insights
  • Recommendations for implementation
  • Opportunities to improve institutional effectiveness

This report helps transform conference participation into measurable organizational value.

Download the Post-Conference Report

The Conference Is Just the Beginning

Become a NAPAHE Member
Join a national community of professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of supporting executive leadership in higher education.

NAPAHE members enjoy year-round access to professional development programs, networking opportunities, webinars, peer communities, and resources designed specifically for professionals supporting higher education leaders. Members also receive discounted conference registration.
Learn More About NAPAHE Membership

An Investment in Leadership Support

For nearly four decades, NAPAHE has supported the professionals who help higher education leaders succeed. The annual conference remains one of the association's most impactful opportunities for learning, networking, benchmarking, and professional growth.

When you invest in attending NAPAHE's Annual Conference, you are investing in more than professional development. You are investing in stronger executive support, more effective leadership operations, improved institutional performance, and better outcomes for the colleges, universities, and students we collectively serve.

Still have questions?

Whether you need information about registration, budgeting, travel planning, membership, or conference participation, we're here to help.
Click Here to Contact NAPAHE